Shoulder-supported flashlight holder



y 9, 0 s. P. SADLOSKI ET AL 2,506,685

SHOULDER-SUPPORTED FLASHLIGHT HOLDER Filed 091:. 19, 19 8 2 Sheets-Sheet1 I NV EN TORS STANLEY SADLOSK/ /5 BY PETER aHmmw/rz y 1950 s. P.SADLOSKI Al. 2,506,685

SHOULDER-SUPPORTED FLASHLIGHT HOLDER Filed Oct. 19, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet2 IN VEN TORS STANLEYI? SADLOSK/ PETER GHEOKOW/ TZ BY ATTX Patented May9, 1950 OFFICE SHOULDER-SUPPOR HOLD TED FLASHLIGHT Stanley P. Sadloski,New Britain, and Peter Checkowltz, Hartford, Conn.

Application October 19, 1948, Serial No. 55,304

Claims. (Cl. 240-59) This invention relates to flashlight holders, andmore particularly to a holder adapted to support a flashlight adjustablyupon the shoulder of the user, thus leaving his hands free to manip latetools.

One object of this invention is to provide a device of the above naturewhich includes a pair of curved adjustable support members adapted toresiliently grip the shoulder of the user.

Another object is to provide a device of the above nature which has abase member which slidably connects the support members permiting thedevice to be readily collapsed so as to occupy a small space when not inuse.

A further object is to provide a device of the above nature which willbe simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, easy to use andmanipulate, compact, ornamental in appearance, and very efficient anddurable in use.

With these and other objects in view, there has been illustrated on theaccompanying drawing one form in which the invention may conveniently beembodied in practice.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the improved flashlight holder asit appears when supported upon the shoulder'of the user.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the holder on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side view of the same.

Fig. 4 is an oblique top view showing the base member and portions ofthe support members engaged therein.

The improved flashlight holder will be found useful by electricians,motorists, fishermen, and others who may need to have the use of bothhands while relying upon a flashlight for illumination.

Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals denotecorresponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral Illindicates generally the improved holder which comprises a pair ofU-shaped support members l l, l2 preferably constructed of heavy rodsand having pairs of downwardly-curved and substantially parallel armsl3, M, respectively. The support members H, l2 also have outer closedends l5 which carry tubular rubber friction elements [6, and arereversely bent or kinked in order to hold said elements IE againstrotation.

The support members H, l2 extend outwardly and downwardly from a flatbase member I! having a pair of opposite reduced side lugs It. Therespective outer ends of the lugs l8 are provided with a pair ofparallel horizontal apertures IS, in which the upper ends of the supportarms H are fixed by means of cross pins 20.

The arms [3 of the support member H are slidably held in a pair ofparallel horizontal apertures 2| formed in the side lugs l8 inwardly ofthe apertures |9,'and are provided at their ends with transverse guideloops 22 slidably engaging the arms l4, whereby separation of thesupport member II from the base member I! will be prevented. The supportarms 13 preferably are made slightly divergent whereby they will engagein the apertures 2| with sufficient friction to prevent any accidentalchange of adjustment of the support member H.

The base member I! is provided with a flashlight gripping device 23comprising an upstanding semi-circular spring clip 24, the upper ends ofwhich carry a pair of tubular gripping elements 25, preferably ofrubber, adapted to hold a flashlight F therein, as shown in dotted linesin Fig.3.

' A stem 26 extends downwardly from the U-shaped clip 24 and terminatesin a ball 21 which is seated in a concave socket 28 formed centrally inthe upper surface of the fiat base member II.

The ball 21 is adapted to be adjustably held by means of an angularlocking clamp 29, the outer end of which has a bottom bearing portion 30for engagement with the upper surface of the base member 11. The innerend of said clamp has a pair of spaced fingers 3| which embrace the ball21.

The clamp 29 is secured to the base member II by means of a thumb screw32 which extends downwardly through a central portion of said clamp andis engaged in a tapped aperture 33 in the base member l1. By means ofthis construction, the flashlight gripping device 23 may be rotated toplace it in any desired adjusted position, where it will be held bytightening the thumb screw 32.

In order to positively prevent the flashlight holder ID from fallingfrom the users shoulder if he should be working in a bent-over position,the support member I2 may be formed with a side loop 34 to which one endof a cord 35 is secured. The cord 35 preferably will be passed aroundthe users body and has a snap hook 36 at its other end, whereby saidcord is adapted to be attached to a side loop 31 formed in the supportmember ll.

Operation In use, the holder It will be adjusted by sliding the supportarms I: in the apertures 21 until the friction elements I6 are suitablydisposed to movement of the ball 2! will be prevented.

The cord 35 will be passed around the user's body and attached to theloop 31 by means of the snap hook 36, in order to provide additionalsecurity.

When not in use, the support arms I3 may be slid inwardly in theapertures 2|. so that the holder will be collapsed into a minimum ofspace.

While there has been disclosed in this specification one form in whichthe invention may be }ermbodied, it is to be understood that this form Iis shown for the purpose of illustration only, and that the invention isnot to be limited to the specific disclosure, but may .be modified andembodied in various other forms without depart- ;ing from its spirit. Inshort, the invention includes all the modifications and embodimentscoming within the scope of the following claims.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new, andfor which it is desired to secure Letters Patent, is:

1. In a flashlight holder, a pair of curved oppositely extendingU-shaped support members having parallel arms, an apertured base memberreceiving said arms slidalbly connecting said support members inoverlapping relationship, and a flashlight gripping device secured tosaid base member, whereby the support members are adapted to engage theshoulder of the user while supporting a flashlight above the shoulder.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1, in which the outer ends of saidsupport members are provided with reverse bends and tubular frictionelements thereon.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1, in which one of said supportmembers is provided with a pair oi guide loops at the ends of the armsthereof, said loops slidably embracing the arms of said other supportmember.

4. In a flashlight holder, a base member, a pair ,'of curved U-shapedwire support members extending in opposite directions from said basemember, said support members having parallel pairs of overlapping armsreceived in apertures in opposite sides of said base member, the arms ofone of said support members being frictionally andslidably held in saidbase member, a flashlight gripping device, and means adjustably securingsaid gripping device to said base member.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4, in which said base member has aflat upper surface and said flashlight gripping device comprises a ballwhich is seated in a central spherical recess in said upper surface, andan angular clamp held against said ball and said upper surface by a.

' screw.

STANLEY P. SADLOSKI. PETER CHECKOWITZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

Country Date England Nov. 27, 1918 Number Number

